Parcel delivery company Evri has announced that it has reached a deal with trade union GMB over pay for couriers that are GMB members.
The deal, which Evri describes as ‘groundbreaking’, will provide a range of benefits to eligible ‘self-employed plus’ (SE+) couriers. Amongst these are: ‘festive support payments of up to £950 for SE+ GMB Union members’; fully subsidised death, disability, accident and sickness insurance starting 25 January 2025 providing financial protection against unforeseen circumstances; and access to qualified accountants for assistance with VAT returns’.
Evri says that couriers not yet enrolled in the SE+ scheme will have the opportunity to join starting from January 2025. The scheme provides ‘access to 28 days paid holiday, guaranteed national minimum wage, pension contributions, parental leave and additional flexible benefits’.
Martijn De Lange, CEO of Evri, commented: “Our couriers are highly valued as the engine of our business. We’ve been proud to lead the industry in offering self-employed workers greater protection and benefits since 2019.
“This latest groundbreaking deal is a significant step forwards demonstrating our commitment to supporting couriers financially and with a raft of protection and benefits, including sick pay for our SE+ workers in an industry first.”
Gill Ogilvie, GMB lead organiser, added: “Securing sickness payments for thousands of couriers is a huge step forward. Once again GMB has shown the difference unions can make in the modern world of work.”
This announcement follows the news earlier this year that Evri had partnered with Onsi to offer couriers wellbeing support, discounts on everyday purchases and financial management support, including early access to wages.
